Car Shipping Costs Increases Post COVID-19

Car-Shipping-Price-Increases-Post-Covid19

Auto shipping has significantly been affected due to the trade and supply chains disruption caused by coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic has impacted the seamless flow of exports and import of automobiles. In recent times, the auto transport industry experiences soaring car shipping costs. A combination of factors, including soaring demand, saturated ports, fewer ships, dockworkers and truckers, sparks these higher car shipping costs.

Car Shipping Hurdles Post Coronavirus Pandemic

A backlog of stored orders of cars built up during the lockdown requires shipping. There has been a surge in demand and price for new and used cars. The prolonged lockdown also caused a spike in the car shipping costs.

Carriers are using all available capacity to move these cars and prevent delayed orders. However, the demand for transportation services far exceeds supply, which puts upward pressure on car shipping rates. Presently, the logistics industry faces the most challenging situations. Some car shipping companies can’t absorb the skyrocketing car shipping costs that shipping lines and carriers are charging.

“As shipping normally represents a small cost per unit for transported goods, demand is not very price-sensitive,” John Butler, president and CEO of the Washington-based council, said in an emailed statement. “So, when demand outstrips capacity to the extent we see today, rates will rise.”

While this could lead to higher prices for customers, some car shipping businesses are going under or making severe losses. As a result, auto-shipping companies have begun taking proactive steps to address the current disruption in the supply chain industry.

However, there are ripple effects across U.S. supply chains and the problems are too broad to be remedied by any short-term fix. The seeming signs of inflation would require that customers adapt quickly as car shipping costs might not come down anytime soon.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most major credit cards, postal money orders and cashiers checks are acceptable forms of payment.

As with most transport services, a deposit is generally required when placing an order. Deposits range from 10-25 % of the total shipping cost. The remaining balance will be due upon delivery.

Most auto transport companies accept cash, certified checks, and postal money orders.

Coast to coast trips usually takes between 10-14 days. Shorter trips ranges from 3-7 days, depending on the actual distance. Some factors may delay a trip, including traffic, weather, and truck breakdowns.

Yes, we request you, or a designated person, be present upon pick up of your vehicle. For your safety and your vehicle’s safety, an inspection is performed and a bill of lading must be signed that serves as proof of delivery.

The easiest way to ship an inoperable vehicle is to let us know when requesting a vehicle transport quote. There will be an additional charge, plus loading and unloading charges to your quote, if we are not informed of the vehicle’s condition prior to quoting.

Auto carriers are not licensed to carry house goods or personal items, these goods and items are not covered by the carriers insurance. Any damage to your vehicle due to household goods shifting or breaking is also not covered. Personal belongings left in the vehicle, are shipped strictly at the owners risk. Carriers will not inventory any belongings left in the vehicle and will assume no responsibility.

Your car is insured for the Blue Book value the entire time it is on the truck. Clearly listed on your Shipping Order, Agreement and Bill of Lading are occurrences not covered. At the time of pick up, a condition report is filled out and signed by both the person turning the car over and the truck driver and you are given a copy.

Upon delivery of your vehicle, this same report is presented. You should compare the condition of the vehicle to the report thoroughly at that time. If you feel damage has occurred to your vehicle during delivery, you must note it on the report before you sign it and the driver leaves. Damage done in transit does not relieve the shipper of paying for transport service performed. Claims will be handled by the vehicle carrier and insurance companies.

Metti International offers door-to-door auto transport service where possible. However, there are instances that we cannot collect/deliver directly to the door due to the size of our auto carrier’s trucks. The size of your street may prohibit direct delivery to your door. Also, some towns and cities do not allow trucks on their residential streets. If the carrier cannot get to your door, he will deliver your vehicle to the next most convenient accessible location, such as the nearest major crossing street, a shopping mall or supermarket.

Please have a no more than 1/4 tank of fuel, remove all personal items from your vehicle and have it washed and cleaned so that the ensuing inspection is easily performed. If it is a convertible, T-top, sunroof, etc. make sure all openings are closed and prepared for changing weather. You can find additional tips on how to prepare your car for transport here.